WQED primetime broadcast will feature student documentary

PITTSBURGH– WQED-TV’s “Filmmakers Corner” will feature a documentary bysenior broadcast and digital communications major Emiley Westfall ’18 on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 10 p.m. The documentary “Tutu, Pink Shoes, & Baby Blues” tells the story about international adoption based on one local family’s experience. The Pittsburgh PBS station program showcases short digital projects by local filmmakers.

“When I got news that my film would be aired, I was ecstatic,” said Westfall. “I’ve never had anything of mine aired on television other than the WCN 24/7 news that I produce.”

“Tutu, Pink Shoes, and Baby Blues” is a documentary about the Michelson family and their choice to adopt twins from Africa. The mother, Holly Michelson, is the main focus of the film. Westfall captures Michelson’s life as a mother and wife through the adoption process, which she describes as a “call of God.”

The documentary chronicles the Michelson’s transition from a family of three to a family of five through the adoption of twins. As the story unfolds, the Michelsons learn of an opportunity to adopt a second set of twins and begin the process of becoming a family of seven.

Westfall created the film for Westminster’s documentary production course. The course spans two semesters, moving students from the research and concept launches of their documentaries into production and post-production. “Tutu, Pink Shoes, and Baby Blues” premiered in Mueller Theater during the Student Documentary Showcase in November 2017.

“The experience of making this documentary has prepared me to always keep working hard and keep pushing forward,” said Westfall. “You never know where life may take you, but if you put your mind to it, anything can happen. I made this documentary not thinking this would even happen, but in the end my hard work and dedication on this film landed me in a position where it will be aired on television.”